Chapter 21
Dominic squeezed his eyes shut tightly.
After a long silence, he looked up: “Emma, what will it take for you to forgive me?”
Lina extracted a document from her drawer, sliding it toward him.
[Chase Industries Share Acquisition Agreement]
“Sign it,” she said flatly. “I’ll purchase all your shares at market price.”
Dominic froze: “You want… Chase Industries?”
“No,” Lina stood, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
She leaned forward, finger tapping the contract.
“I want you to personally hand Chase Industries to me…” she made no attempt to hide her true intentions. “Then watch as I destroy it, piece by piece.”
Dominic’s fingertips trembled as they touched the contract.
He knew what this meant-
Sign, and Chase’s multi–generational empire would change hands completely.
Refuse… and he’d forever lose any chance of winning her back.
Lina watched his struggle, suddenly feeling empty.
‘You have three days to consider,” she turned toward the window, her silhouette cold and distant.
‘But Dominic Chase, don’t forget…”
‘In your current position, you’re in no place to negotiate with me.”
In Chase Industries‘ top–floor conference room, the city lights glittered through floor–to–ceiling windows.
Lina sat in the chairman’s position, fingers lightly drumming the table, reviewing asset divestiture agreements awaiting signatures.
Around the conference table, executives who once fawned over Dominic now kept their heads lowered, breathing carefully to avoid disturbing her thoughts.
“Sell the renewable energy division, merge the medical sector with Crawford Group,” her voice was as casual as
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Just a Stand In?! My Billionaire Hubby’s OTHER Wife…
15.6
Chapter 21
discussing the weather. “As for the remaining shell… keep it.”
The financial director cautiously inquired: “Ms. Lina, what about the Chase brand…?”
Lina looked up, her lips curving coldly: “Chase?”
She slowly stood, her heels striking the marble floor with crisp sounds that seemed to strike each person’s heart like warning bells.
“From today forward, Chase Industries no longer exists.” She raised her hand, pushing the final document toward
the silent man at the end of the table.
The paper slid before Dominic, its cover boldly declaring “Position Adjustment Notice“-he retained his CEO title but was stripped of all decision–making authority, required to submit daily reports to Lina.
Dominic stared at the document, fingers trembling slightly, but made no move to accept it.
Lina watched him, suddenly smiling: “What’s wrong, Mr. Chase? Dissatisfied?”
The conference room fell deathly silent.
Dominic slowly raised his head, once–sharp eyes now dull and lifeless, as though every last spark of vitality had been drained from him. After several seconds, he finally reached for the pen, signing his name to the document.
‘Mr. Chase, your daily report.”
The secretary placed a document on Dominic’s desk, tone respectful but eyes betraying pity.
Dominic mechanically opened it.
Chase Industries Maintenance Progress Report]
t detailed:
Number of times company signs were polished daily;
Office plant watering schedule;
Front desk visitor count (zero).
He closed his eyes briefly before signing his name.
This was Emma’s requirement.
He must personally sign, confirming he diligently “managed” this empty shell company each day.
In an outdoor café, Lína methodically cut her steak, the knife scraping against porcelain with faint sounds.
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Just a Stand In?! My Billionaire Hubby’s OTHER Wife…
15.9
Chapter 21
“You still cut steak like you’re performing surgery,” Shane chuckled, taking her plate and effortlessly cutting it into bite–sized pieces. “Like you’re dissecting an enemy.”
Lina raised an eyebrow: “Maybe I am?”
Shane returned her plate, his fingertips briefly brushing her hand: “How does revenge taste?”
Lina gazed toward the lake, sunlight shattering into countless gold flakes on the water’s surface.
“Hollower…than I imagined,” she said softly.
Shane studied her profile, suddenly suggesting: “There’s an astronomy exhibition tonight. Want to go?”
“Astronomy exhibition?”
“Yes,” his lips curved slightly. “You once mentioned loving stargazing as a child.”
Lina hesitated… she had indeed mentioned this, long ago, during a drunken night.
But she hadn’t expected him to remember.
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